PORT ST. LUCIE — The best time to hold this debate might very well be now, when we can envision Subway Series and Big Apple-centric All-Star Games pitting Amed Rosario against Gleyber Torres. Reality tends to bite into these fantasies.

Anyone remember when we sincerely wondered whether Derek Jeter or Rey Ordonez would have the better career?

So let’s get after it. I asked 10 talent evaluators from 10 non-New York teams: Between Rosario, the 21-year-old Mets shortstop prospect, and Torres, the 20-year-old Yankees shortstop prospect, whom would you rather have in your organization? On whose future would you bet most?

The result proved razor thin, and perhaps encouraging for those cheering for the future rivalry to emerge: Five chose Torres, four chose Rosario and one chose not to choose at all.

“I’d take either,” the uncommitted voter said, on the condition of anonymity (like everyone else surveyed). “Both guys are studs. Gleyber has huge instincts. Unique feel for the game. Slows the game down on both sides of the ball. Rosario is physically gifted, beautiful hands, strong and powerful.

“Both have plus bats and off-the-charts positive makeup.”

Deciding between Rosario and Torres, an official from an American League team opined, “may ultimately be akin to choosing between a future Jose Reyes or a future Addison Russell. Both have the tools to be prime contributors to championship-caliber clubs.”

see also

Fittingly, the two young men settled for a tie in the four most prominent prospect rankings. Rosario placed higher than Torres as per Baseball Prospectus (Rosario number 8, Torres 15) and ESPN.com (Rosario 3, Torres 4), while Torres prevailed in Baseball America (Torres 5, Rosario 8) and MLB.com (Torres 3, Rosario 5).

With this level of elite talent, strong opinions emerge. Said an evaluator from another AL team: “I’m a big fan of Rosario, but I’d be really surprised to see anyone take him over Gleyber. Rosario would be the best shortstop prospect in nearly any system, while Gleyber would be the best prospect, period, in nearly any system.”

Countered a baseball operations front-office person from a National League club: “I like Torres, but I feel he is overhyped a bit. Rosario is the real deal.” Rosario, the person continued, carries the edge in talent, makeup and track record.

Rosario and Mets prospect Gavin Cecchini on Feb. 20Anthony J. Causi

The Torres supporters cited his bat first and foremost. At the Single-A level in 2016, playing for the Cubs’ Myrtle Beach team and then the Yankees’ Tampa affiliate (after switching via the Aroldis Chapman trade) in his age-19 campaign, he totaled a .270/.354/.421 slash line with 11 homers in 478 at-bats. He’ll head to Double-A Trenton with that strong season under his belt. Rosario’s age-19 season, 2015, produced a .253/.302/.329 line at Single-A St. Lucie and Double-A Binghamton, before he broke out for the same two teams last year, going .324/.374/.459.

However, one AL official went with Rosario because he felt the Mets’ international signing had “more offensive potential and a more advanced bat at present. He already has some seasoning at Double-A and the potential to play in the major leagues in 2017.” Rosario will likely start the season at Triple-A Las Vegas and could easily play his way into a September call-up, if not something sooner prompted by injuries.

Rosario is generally regarded as the superior defender. Said one NL team evaluator: “I have a little more confidence that he sticks at the position [as opposed to Torres].”

Torres takes batting practice on Feb. 17 as Gary Sanchez watches.AP

Here at Tradition Field, the Mets naturally believe they own the superior option in the New York Future Shortstop Sweepstakes. The Yankees surely contend the opposite.

For everyone else, it’s close to even, and external excitement looms for what could come to fruition.

“Should be fun to watch for New York fans,” a Rosario-supporting NL official said.

If it proves half as electric as the current futures betting, then we have much to anticipate about the years ahead at Yankee Stadium and Citi Field.